News release issued July 21, 2008

A 132,552 sq ft warehouse was the unusual location used for the official launch of South Derbyshire’s Economic Development Strategy 2008 – 2012 this morning (Monday July 21)

More than 130 guests from South Derbyshire businesses and support organisations providing services in the district attended the event, at Unit P141 on Tetron Point in Swadlincote. Among them were representatives from Andawest Engineering Limited, Bison Concrete Products Limited, Dean & Smedley, Extec Screens & Crushers, Integra Strategic Consultants Limited and Mainline Tool and plant hire.

The huge setting – which organiser South Derbyshire District Council said was entirely fitting for the event – enabled display of a JCB 3CX backhoe loader, together with a JCB Dieselmax engine produced by JCB Power Systems at Dove Valley Park in the district.

The engine is fitted into all backhoe loaders manufactured at JCB's factory in Rocester, Staffordshire. Also on show was a scale model of the record-breaking JCB DIESELMAX streamliner car, which set a new land speed record (350.092mph) for a diesel vehicle in August 2006 on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, USA.

Leader of South Derbyshire District Council, Cllr Heather Wheeler, welcomed guests to the event and thanked them for their involvement in producing the Strategy document.

She said: "Very many of the organisations and individuals here today have contributed their time and ideas to the document. Contributions have been made by, for example, completing business surveys and attending focus groups and the final document does incorporate the ideas put forward and developed through these.

"The completion of this document marks the start of a journey. Business and partner organisations have contributed enthusiastically to the development of this Strategy to help us establish a shared understanding and vision for the future of South Derbyshire.

"We now need to work together to see it put into action successfully. It must be a joint approach and I believe that today is a very positive indication of the willingness to work together and get involved."

Also speaking at the event was Neil Bark, Managing Director of Swadlincote-based Central Joinery. Neil spoke about his personal experience of the Business Navigator project, which provides free support to companies to help them identify and achieve potential savings and improve environmental efficiency, and explained how it has helped his company cut the cost of waste sent to landfill by 57%.

Mike Roylance, Economic Development Manager at South Derbyshire District Council, said: "The launch went very well. Using P141, a new development by Sladen Estates and owned by GE Capital, for the event added to the impact and gave us a chance to display some of the products made in the district and showcase accommodation now available in South Derbyshire."

The South Derbyshire Economic Development Strategy 2008 – 2012 can be viewed on the Council’s website at www.south-derbys.gov.uk/business/economicdevelopment and hard copies can be requested by calling South Derbyshire District Council Customer Services on 01283 595795.

Ends

For further information on this release please contact:

SUE GRIEF 07786 437288 sue.grief@virgin.net